04/09/2008
The tender process for England's answer to El Sistema is now open, with groups being invited to apply for up to £3m in government funding to run an In Harmony project in their area.
Inspired by Venezuela's hugely successful orchestral project and chaired by Music Manifesto signatory Julian Lloyd Webber, In Harmony aims to use music to bring positive change to the lives of very young children in the most deprived areas of England.
Individuals, community groups, local authorities, music organisations and consortiums made up of all of these, can bid for a share of the money to run pilot projects over the next three years.
In Harmony will see children from the most deprived parts of the country being taught musical instruments by charismatic, high quality music teachers. They will then be brought into full-scale orchestras and encouraged to play live in front of audiences from an early age.
Three areas will be chosen to launch the pilots in October. The successful bidders will need to supply a compelling case outlining how they would run an In Harmony project in their area and how they would intend to maximise both the funding and the opportunities that it brings.
You can download further info about what is expected from the bids - just click here.
Anyone who wishes to apply to run an In Harmony pilot project can email catherine.brown@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk for further information and tender documents between now and 26 September. The closing date for bids is 17 October 2008.